Traveling from Alden to New York City covers 355.4 miles and typically takes about 7 hours and 23 minutes behind the wheel. This highway-focused route utilizes the Southern Tier Expressway, the Keystone Shortway, and I-81 to navigate through the Northeast. While the journey is technically feasible as a one-day trip, be prepared for a long stint on the road. You should budget approximately $56 for fuel to complete the drive. Because this trip stays within New York state, you will experience a consistent regional feel, though the landscape shifts as you transition from Western New York toward the urban density of the city.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
177.7 miles from Alden, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 39m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Alden, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on US 20
1.4 mi·2 min·Broadway Street
2
Continue on US 20
14 mi·19 min·Broadway Road
3
Continue on US 20
6.5 mi·8 min·Telephone Road
4
Turn right onto NY 63
3.0 mi·4 min·Ellicott Street Road
5
Continue on NY 63
4.1 mi·6 min·Big Tree Road
6
Continue on NY 63
0.7 mi·54 sec·State Highway 63
7
Continue on NY 63
7.5 mi·11 min·Genesee Street
8
Enter roundabout onto NY 63
108 ft·1 sec·Genesee Street
9
Continue on NY 63
1.3 mi·1 min·Genesee Street
10
Merge onto US 20A; NY 39; NY 63
3.3 mi·4 min·Geneseo-Mount Morris Road
11
Continue on NY 408
0.3 mi·32 sec·Mount Morris-Geneseo Road
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
13
Merge onto I 390
38 mi·44 min·Genesee Expressway
14
Merge onto I 86
105 mi·2 hr 2 min·Southern Tier Expressway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
19
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
20
Merge onto I 80
63 mi·1 hr 19 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 47AToward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
22
Continue on I 280
16 mi·20 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17AToward CR 508 East: Jersey City
24
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi·3 min·Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi·43 sec·New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
28
Turn straight
0.3 mi·35 sec
Use the straight lane.
29
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
30
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
31
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
33
Take the exit
305 ft·10 sec
Toward BrooklynUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft·7 sec·Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker StreetUse the straight lane.
35
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi·1 min·Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi·1 min·Broadway
Use the straight lane.
37
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
To keep your 7-hour and 23-minute drive manageable, plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs and refresh. Since you are facing a long day on the road, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and heavy traffic near the destination. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the journey, as the $56 cost estimate can fluctuate depending on where you choose to fill up along the interstates. Given the length of the longest 104.5-mile stretch, make sure you are fully fueled before heading onto the Southern Tier Expressway to avoid unnecessary stops during that primary leg. Use the flexibility of a one-day schedule to pace yourself, ensuring you stay alert during the final miles into New York City.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 177.7 miles from Alden, NY, or about 3h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 78 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 177.7 miles or 3h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alden, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alden, NY
This is one driving day of about 355.4 miles and 7h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Alden, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Southern Tier Expressway for about 104.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 185.1 and 350.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
185.1 mi into trip|~3h 48m in|I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
238.5 mi into trip|~4h 52m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
6
242.9 mi into trip|~4h 57m in|I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
7
350.5 mi into trip|~7h 11m in
Take the exit toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
8
350.8 mi into trip|~7h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.50 one way
$117.00 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg124 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$63.26
$126.52
premium
$4.92
$68.88
$137.77
diesel
$5.61
$78.47
$156.94
Estimated Tolls: $16.14
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.14
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$100–$125
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.6
1
$37.32
$17.06
Efficient EV
88.9
1
$31.10
$14.22
EV Truck/SUV
142.2
1
$49.76
$22.75
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Alden, NY
Morning
in Alden on Sunday
Local time
6:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New York City, NY
Morning
in New York City on Sunday
Local time
6:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
E 6 to 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 23m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
African Burial Ground National Monument
National Monument
The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 355.4
Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...
1 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 355.4
Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 355.4
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 355.4
A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 355.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by efficient, high-speed transit, with 68% of your time spent on major highways. The route features a significant 104.5-mile stretch on the Southern Tier Expressway, allowing you to cover ground quickly without frequent exits. As you transition between the Southern Tier Expressway, the Keystone Shortway, and I-81, the character of the drive remains steady and focused on long-distance travel. While you won't encounter many technical local roads, the sheer scale of these interstate segments defines the experience. It is a straightforward, no-nonsense path designed for getting you to your destination with minimal detours.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.5 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 185.1 miles in near I 81.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 355.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 185.1 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 238.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 242.9 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,903 ft34 ft
Total Climb
2,558 ft
Total Descent
3,385 ft
Highest Point
1,903 ft
~251.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,868 ft
Notable High Points
1,477 ft at ~207.3 miles+576 ft prominence
1,903 ft at ~251.8 miles+1,130 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alden, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
New York (known as "The Big Apple", "NYC," and often called "New York City") is a global center for media, entertainment, art, fashion, research, finance, and trade. The bustling, cosmopolitan heart of the 4th largest metropolis in the world and by far the most populous city in the United States, New York has long been a key entry point and a defining city for the nation.
From the Statue of Liberty in the harbor to the Empire State Building towering over the Manhattan skyline, from the tunnels of the subway to the riches of Wall Street, from the bright signs of Times Square to the naturalistic beauty of Central Park, and from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York's landmarks are quintessential American landmarks. The city's neighborhoods and streets are so iconic they have become ingrained into the American consciousness.
Top landmarks
•Statue of Liberty — American icon in New York, United States
•National September 11 Memorial & Museum — memorial & museum in New York City commemorating the September 11, 2001 attacks
•Plaza Hotel — hotel in Midtown Manhattan, New York City
Hitting the road from Alden to NYC is a solid full-day commitment, covering 355.4 miles and taking over 7 hours, making it a feasible, albeit long, weekend trip. Just be prepared for the 10/10 complexity, especially if you're trying to squeeze it into a short timeframe.
Family Friendly
This 355.4-mile route is a challenging 10/10 complexity for families, and the 7h 23m drive time with only 2 natural rest stops means you'll need to pack plenty of entertainment for the kids. While the terrain is gently rolling, the navigation alone might be enough to test everyone's patience.
Solo Traveler
This 355.4-mile drive is totally doable solo in about 7.5 hours, but with 10/10 complexity, you'll want to stay sharp. The gently rolling terrain is easy on the car, and the two planned breaks should keep you from feeling too worn out.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.14 in tolls one way, starting with Holland Tunnel. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at New York City, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 185.1 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 238.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 242.9 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — African Burial Ground National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument and Federal Hall National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at New York City, NY before the return drive.
